The metalworking procedure known as “cold forming” uses a die to shape, bend, or weld metal without heating it. Metal components are bent into desired forms using high-pressure dies while retaining their original length, width, and thickness (flatness). Since no heating process is involved, cold-formed components typically have more exact dimensions. They can sometimes be made in sizes as small as a few millimeters since the metal formed won’t expand or contract which can occur from the heat used in hot forming. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Stabio North America
Tevor, WI | 262-857-7056Stabio North America has been a cold-headed parts manufacturer since 1976. We are dedicated to continually improving and expanding our operations. We are heavily invested in being the best cold-headed parts manufacturer in the industry and have excellent customer service. No project is too small or too large for Stabio North America. Contact us today to learn more.

Triem Industries
Terryville, CT | 860-261-7973For over 25 years, Triem Industries has been a leading manufacturer of cold headed parts. We are committed to manufacturing high quality cold headed parts while continuously expanding our company. Industries we serve include military, marine, electrical, and industrial.

Grandeur Fasteners, Inc.
Danville, AR | 479-489-5168Our experts at Grandeur produce a wide range of superior quality cold headed parts quickly and cost-effectively from virtually any cold head-able material, including alloy steel, aluminum, brass, copper, medium & low carbon steel, nickel alloys & monel, silicon bronze & stainless steel.

Vimi Fasteners
Charlotte, NC | 704-588-8400As a worldwide leader in manufacturing cold headed parts, stud bolts and special screws, our company has an enormous stock of advanced cold formed products. Our specialized mechanical fasteners are used in a wide array of applications globally. We are ISO 9002 certified and possess a focus on quality.

In cold forming, metal is pressed past its elastic (yield) limit and keeps its distorted shape after being released from the die. If the metal were pulled beyond its tensile strength, it would fracture. Cold forming was first performed in response to the California Gold Rush (1849) and provided miners with the opportunity to buy inexpensive, prefabricated metal housing. Cold forming has traditionally been considered an experimental method, but as new computer-based analytical tools are continuously produced, this is changing.

Basic Cold-Forming Procedures
There are three unique cold-forming processes available to create items. Which procedure is used depends on the part being made.
Forward Extrusion
Forward extrusion is used to create solid items. Using the forward extrusion method to lower the diameter, the material flows freely until it gets trapped in a die.
Backward Extrusion
Backward extrusion is performed to create hollow objects. Under this process, material flows backward around a penetrating punch
Upset Extrusion
Under upset extrusion, material is deformed (upset) at the die face where it can create either solid or hollow shapes. Upset extrusion is used to create longer parts that need only one end to be shaped.

Cold Forming Machinery
A horizontal press is commonly used for cold forming. This press feeds wire, cuts it to the right length, and then feeds it through a succession of tools and dies to shape the material into the desired shape. Depending on the kind of parts that need to be produced, there are numerous variants in machines, including:
- Cutoff diameter capabilities (ranges from 2mm to 48mm (nearly 2”))
- Feed length capabilities (2mm to 300mm (nearly a foot) and beyond)

Materials for Cold Forming
Almost any kind of metal part may be produced using the cold forming technique, but each metal has advantages and disadvantages of its own. With regular die maintenance, it is common to use steel, carbon steel, brass, lead, bronze, precious metals, aluminum, nickel alloys, stainless steel, steel alloys, and other specially-blended materials. Copper, brass, and aluminum are softer materials that can be easily cold-molded.
Advantages of Cold Forming
Cold forming, also known as cold forging, is substantially less expensive and environmentally-friendly than hot forming since it does not require heating the metal to extremely high temperatures.
Precision cold-forming technology has been around for a while. Still, it's becoming increasingly popular due to its capacity to save costs, boost productivity, and enhance product quality while being ecologically friendly.
The complexity of the designs it can produce—such as various surface profiles—cannot be achieved by standard forging techniques, which increases productivity by minimizing equipment duplication.
Mechanical qualities are improved, and the strength-to-weight ratio is increased.
- Lower Production Costs: Cold forming uses precisely-constructed dies and requires less energy input than other processes that employ high temperatures to shape metal components. As a result, cold forming lowers production costs. Therefore, whether traditional or modern technologies are used, cold forming enables faster production rates and increased productivity.
- Material Savings: Since there is no possibility of overheating the raw materials, which results in material waste, inefficiency, and less accurate dimensional tolerance, improved yields from the original materials are added to the savings realized through reduced material waste/scrap during manufacturing.
- Environmentally-Friendly: Precision cold forming is the perfect method for environmentally-aware enterprises since it produces less waste, uses less energy, and costs less money overall. An artificial atmosphere doesn’t need to be created for precision cold forming.
- Near Net-Final Shape: Cold forming is a technique that requires almost no machining to produce nearly net-final dimensions.
- Dimensional accuracy, surface quality (smoothness), regulated geometry, and electrical performance characteristics are further advantages of cold forming.
- Secondary Operations Reduced or Eliminated: Cold forming helps eliminate the need for secondary procedures like welding, punching, and blanking which results in decreased material utilization and shortened lead times.
- Improved Strength and Toughness: When compared to products formed using conventional procedures, cold-worked components have improved tensile strength and toughness because they have different metallurgical properties from those generated by hot-swaging processes. As a result, precise cold-formed parts need less maintenance, which increases the lifespan of mechanical systems like machines and gears.
Disadvantages of Cold Forming
Although cold forming is an excellent method for many applications, cold forming does have its limits that one should be made aware of, such as:
- Size Restrictions: More force is required to press material into the correct shape the larger the fastener's diameter. Any size of fastener can be produced with a large enough machine. However, this is frequently impractical, necessitating the hot forging of some incredibly- big pieces.
- Shape Restrictions: Even though cold-forming technology has advanced over time, some specialty parts with unusual shapes still require material cutting to be created. As a result, these unusual forms are better suited for machining.
Choosing the Correct Cold Forming Company
To make sure you have the most positive outcome when purchasing Cold Forming from a Cold Forming Supplier, it is important to compare at least 5 or 6 Companies using our Cold Forming directory. Each Cold Forming Company has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Cold Forming business website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Cold Forming businesses with the same message.